Kangur Stresses The Positives

Forward Kristjan Kangur averaged 13.3 points and five rebounds for Estonia in the Qualification Round

By Jeff Taylor

It would be understandable if Kristjan Kangur and his Estonia teammates tried to put their fists through walls in frustration, after narrowly missing out on a spot in next year's EuroBasket.

Every player on the continent wants to experience the big tournament environment and Estonia were within touching distance of a place in the Final Round but ultimately missed out on a goal differential tie-breaker to Israel and Serbia.

But Kangur, while disappointed, looks back with a sense of pride at the performances and the camaraderie in the squad.

Estonia beat experienced EuroBasket teams Israel and Serbia just as many times as the Israelis and Serbians beat them.

This is what the 29-year-old Kangur will remember.

"Yes, absolutely," he said.

"I had a great feeling for the games. We beat two big teams, winning against Israel and Serbia.

"I was really happy to be a part of this team.

"This summer we showed that other teams have to do their best to beat us.

"It's one of the things that I'm happy about because before, teams thought they would go to Estonia and easily come away with a win but now, they have to think about this.

"We are trying to make it really hard for them."

WHAT MADE ESTONIA TOUGH TO BEAT?

Estonia may have once been deemed pushovers but no one can say that anymore.